The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546232
32 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2026 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE M ichigan's 2024 recruiting class was ranked No. 16 nationally at the time by Rivals.com and hasn't produced many players that have become high-level contributors. But those who have blos- somed are making big impacts and are some of the best leaders in the program entering the 2026 campaign — a critical moment for the team with a new head coach in Kyle Whittingham. Recruiting Name Pos. Stars DEVON BAXTER EDGE ★★★★ Transferred to Virginia following the 2025 season. Baxter didn't see game action in ei- ther of his two seasons in Ann Arbor. JEREMIAH BEASLEY LB ★★★ Left the Michigan program after his first spring and transferred to Missouri, where he tallied 27 tackles over the last two seasons. MANUEL BEIGEL OL ★★★ Switched from defensive line to offense this offseason. The Frankfurt, Germany, native played in seven games with 1 tackle and a fumble recovery in 2025. MASON CURTIS S ★★★★ Michigan's 2024 Rookie of the Year on De- fense appeared in 11 games with three starts last season, recording 34 tackles with 2 for loss, 2 pass breakups, a sack and an inter- ception. JADYN DAVIS QB ★★★★ Transferred to East Tennessee State after the 2025 campaign. Davis served as Michi- gan's No. 2 quarterback last season, playing in three games and going 0-of-2 passing with 1 interception. JO'ZIAH EDMOND CB ★★★★ Competed in eight games as a freshman but only two as a sophomore. LUGARD EDOKPAYI EDGE ★★★★ Played in eight games during the 2025 sea- son, mostly on special teams, after not see- ing any action as a true freshman. Coaches and players have said Edokpayi could be a breakout player this fall. BLAKE FRAZIER OL ★★★★ Played in all 13 games with eight starts, including six at left tackle, last year after red- shirting the 2024 campaign. Frazier is com- peting with sophomore Andrew Babalola and others for the starting left tackle job during fall camp. CHANNING GOODWIN WR ★★★ Redshirted in 2024 after four appearances before becoming a prominent figure in the offense in 2025 — making 13 appearances and six starts. Goodwin caught 12 passes for 148 yards. JAKE GUARNERA OL ★★★ The 2025 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection entered 2025 as a backup and ended it as one of the team's best offensive linemen. Guarnera competed in 13 contests with 10 starts at right guard and projects as the Wol- verines' center in 2026. LUKE HAMILTON OL ★★★ Didn't see game action in 2024 for a redshirt year and appeared in one game in 2025. TED HAMMOND DT ★★★ Saw time in one contest, against Central Michigan, in 2025, after redshirting in 2024. HOGAN HANSEN TE ★★★★ Dealt with injuries and was limited to four contests in 2025, hauling in 6 catches for 74 yards. Hansen flashed as a freshman in 2024, catching 7 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. He is projected to start at tight end this fall. MICAH KA'APANA RB ★★★ Sustained a season-ending lower-body injury this spring and was dealing with injuries the majority of the 2025 campaign while appear- ing in four games with 10 rushes for 38 yards and 1 reception for 8 yards. Ka'apana played in two outings in 2024, notching 1 reception for 4 yards. JEREMIAH LOWE CB ★★★ Played in two games last season after not see- ing any time in a 2024 redshirt season. 2024 CLASS REVIEW Offensive lineman Blake Frazier is competing with sophomore Andrew Babalola and others for the starting left tackle job during fall camp. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL LEADERS Michigan's 2024 Class Has Strong Voices